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Vulcain engine testing. Engineer preparing a Vulcain 1 engine for testing on the P5 stand at the DLR (German Aerospace Center)'s test centre in Lampoldshausen, Germany. This test stand was inaugurated in 1990, is identical to the test stand operated in France by Safran (Snecma). Vulcain engines are tested in parallel on both facilities. The Vulcain engines provide primary propulsion for the core cryogenic stage (EPC) of Ariane 5 vehicles. Under development since 1985, the Vulcain 1 was first flown in 1996 with the Ariane 5G rocket.